Former Coyotes catcher to open baseball academy

ALAMO – Former Edinburg Coyotes catcher Eddie Wilson saw a void in the Rio Grande Valley. Unlike other areas, the Valley did not have an indoor baseball facility to hone the skills of aspiring players, which he recognized during his three years with the Coyotes.

Today in Alamo, Wilson will fill that void. Wilson is opening the Valley Baseball Academy at 1 p.m. in a day of events that will include free lessons and appearances by Roadrunners players Eric Gonzalez and Nick Aranda.

Wilson said the opening of the academy is important to baseball and softball players from all over the Valley. Now, like many other places, the Valley will have a place for players to train, regardless of the weather or other conditions.

“The goal is to teach these kids the things we learned when we became pro ballplayers,” Wilson said. “If we teach them early, by the time they’re trying to get to college or become pro ballplayers in baseball or softball, they’ll be way ahead of the curve.”

Over the course of his career, Wilson saw the positive impact that local indoor facilities had for players. Instead of having to travel hours to find one, aspiring athletes in places like Houston and San Antonio only had to go a few miles.

Now, he believes, Valley players will have that same advantage.

“We felt there was a need for the athletes here. There’s a lot of talent here, it’s just that the kids haven’t been developed properly,” Wilson said. “There’s some kids that right now travel to San Antonio for the things that we offer.”

The Valley Baseball Academy is located at 111 N. 7th St. in Alamo, on the corner of 7th and Business 83.

Brian Sandalow covers the Edinburg Roadrunners for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at (956) 683-4436.